Department of Mechanical Engineering,

ME8792 Power Plant Engineering

ME8792 POWER PLANT ENGINEERING

QUESTION BANK

UNIT I - COAL BASED THERMAL POWER PLANTS

1. What is stroker? Classify it. (A/M 17)

Stokers are used to feed solid fuels into the furnace in medium and large size
power plants. It is classified into overfeed and underfeed stoker.

2. What is a super critical boiler? Give two advantages. (A/M 13, 18, N/D 15)
A supercritical boiler is a type of boiler that operates at supercritical pressure,
frequently used in the production of electric power. A supercritical boiler operates at
pressures above the critical pressure 22 MPa in which liquid water immediately becomes
steam. Water passes below the critical point as it does work in a high pressure turbine and
enters the generator's condenser, resulting in slightly less fuel use and therefore less
greenhouse gas production.

Advantages:
 Higher unit cycle efficiency (40 - 42%)
 Lower heat rate and electricity generation cost is lower
 Lower water losses because no continuous blow down
 Reduced auxiliary power consumption.

3. What is pulversier and why it is used? (M/J 14, N/D 13, 15)
The pulveriser is used to pulverise the coal in order to increase the surface
exposure. Pulverised coal enables rapid combustion. The different types of pulverising
mills are
1. Ball mill
2. Hammer mill
3. Ball and race mill.

4. What are the functions of draught system? (or) What are the purposes of Draught?
(or) What do you understand by the term boiler draught? (M/J 16, N/D 16, 18)
Draught is defined as a small pressure difference required between the fuel bed
(furnace) and outside air is to maintain constant flow of air and to discharge the gases
through chimney to the atmosphere. The uses of draught in thermal power plants are
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ME8792 Power Plant Engineering

 To supply required quantity of air to the furnace for combustion of fuel.

 To draw the combustion products through the system.
 To remove burnt products from the system.

5. Define steam rate and heat rate. (N/D 16)

Steam rate: It is defined as the rate of steam flow required for producing unit shaft
output. Heat rate: It is defined as heat input needed to produce one unit of power
output. It indicates the amount of fuel required to generate one unit of electricity.

6. State some advantages of fluidized bed boilers. (N/D 14)

Any type of fuel - solid, liquid (or) gaseous fuel (or) domestic and industrial
waste can be used in FBC system. Any type- of combustible matter can be burned by
adjusting the factors as size, air velocity and rate of feed.
 High heat transfer rate is possible to the surfaces immersed in the bed,
because solid mixing is extremely possible.
 High combustion efficiency.
 The solid fuel need not be pulverised in fluidised bed boilers.

7. What is the principle of cogeneration? (N/D 18)

Cogeneration is the combinations of heat and power (CHP). The power plant
generates electricity and useful heat at the same time.

8. Define compounding of steam turbines. (A/M 17)

Compounding of steam turbines is the method in which energy from the steam is
extracted in a number of stages rather than a single stage in a turbine.

9. Why majority of coal based thermal power plants are located near Seashore? (N/D
17)
Sea water is used for cooling purposes and also coal transportation through ship.

10. Reason out why Cogeneration is quite viable in Sugar industries compared to that in
other industries. (N/D 17)
Byproduct Sugarcane molasses is available in sugar industries. It is used as a fuel
in cogeneration unit.

UNIT II - DIESEL, GAS TURBINE AND COMBINED CYCLE POWER PLANTS

1. What are the applications of Diesel engine power plants? (A/M 17, N/D 14)
(a)It is quite suitable for mobile power generation
(b) It is used as peak load plants in combined with thermal or hydro plants
(c) It is used as stand by plants for emergency service.
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ME8792 Power Plant Engineering

2. What are the applications of gas turbine power plants? (A/M 18)
(a) Peak load plants: gas turbine power plants are used to supply peak loads in steam
or hydro plants
(b) Standby plants: They are used as Standby plants for hydro – electric plants
(c) They are used in industries for driving compressors & electric generators
(d) They are used in Jet planes, aircrafts & ships.

3. What are the advantages of closed cycle gas turbine over open cycle gas turbine?
(N/D 18)
Merits:
(i) Efficiency is same throughout the cycle
(ii)The turbine blades do not wear away since the combustion is external
(iii)Starting of the plant is easy
(iv) Low quality fuel can be used since the combustion is external.
Demerits:
(i) A separate pre cooler arrangement is necessary
(ii)The size & weight are more
(iii)Initial cost & maintenance cost are more
(iv)Combustion efficiency is less.

4. What is reheating and regeneration of gas turbine? (N/D 14, 16)

If the dryness fraction of steam leaving the turbine is less than 0.88, then,
corrosion and erosion of turbine blades occur. To avoid this situation, reheat is used. In
the simple open cycle system the heat of the turbine exhaust gases goes as waste. To
make use of this heat a regenerator is provided. In the regenerator the heat of the hot
exhaust gases from the turbine is used to preheat the air entering the combustion
chamber.

5. Name the various “gas power cycles”. (N/D 16)

 Otto cycle
 Diesel cycle
 Dual cycle

6. What are the different types of lubrication system in diesel power plant? (M/J 14)
 Mist lubricating system
 Wet sump lubrication system
 Dry sump lubrication system

7. Why power generation by gas turbine is more attractive than other turbines? (N/D
15)
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ME8792 Power Plant Engineering

Gas turbine power plant is attractive because of their ability to quickly ramp up
power production
8. List down the various processes of the Brayton cycle. (A/M 17)
 Isentropic compression
 Constant pressure heat addition
 Isentropic expansion
 Constant pressure heat rejection

9. Name the essential components of a diesel electric plant. (M/J 16)

1. Diesel engine
2. Air intake system
3. Exhaust system
4. Fuel system
5. Cooling system
6. Lubricating system

10. Mention the major difference between Otto cycle and diesel cycle. (N/D 15)
S.NO Otto cycle Diesel Cycle
1 Otto cycle consists of two Diesel cycle consists of two
isentropic and two constant isentropic and one constant
volume processes. volume and one constant pressure
process
2 Heat addition takes place at Heat addition takes place at
constant volume constant pressure
3 Compression ratio is equal to Compression ratio is greater than
expansion ratio expansion ratio

UNIT III - NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

1. What is the function of control rods in nuclear reactor? (A/M 17, N/D 15)
The control rods are used to start the chain reaction, maintain the chain reaction at
required level and to shut down the reactor during emergency.

2. What is the function of pressurizer in PWR? (A/M 17, N/D 18)

Pressurizer maintains the high pressure in the primary circuit. It prevents boiling
in the reactor.

3. List out the important components of a nuclear reactor. (A/M 18)

1. Nuclear fuel
2. Moderator
3. Control rods
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ME8792 Power Plant Engineering

4. Reflectors
5. Reactor vessel
6. Biological shielding
7. Coolant

4. Define “electron Volt” with reference to Nuclear Power Plants. (N/D 17)
It is defined as the amount of energy one electron gains by moving through a
potential difference of one volt.

5. How do you cater for safety of nuclear power plant? (M/J 14, N/D 15)
a. Radiological protection of workers
b. Dose limit
c. Radioactive waste management

6. What is breeding in nuclear reactor? (N/D 14)

The process of producing fissionable material from a fertile material such as
uranium 238 (U238) and thorium 232 (Th 232 ) by neutron absorption is known as
breeding.

7. Why shielding is necessary in nuclear power plants? (N/D 16)

During fission of nuclear fuel, alpha particles, beta particles, deadly gamma rays
and neutrons are produced. Shielding is essential to protect the operating men from the
harmful effects. A protection must be provided against them. Thick layers of lead or
concrete are provided round the reactor for stopping the gamma rays. Thick layers of
metals or plastics are sufficient to stop the alpha and beta particles.

8. Give typical examples for Control Rods. (N/D 17)

 Boron,
 cadmium
 hafnium are mostly used as control rods

9. What is CANDU type reactor? (M/J 16, N/D 18)

CANDU (Canadian –Deuterium-Uranium) reactor. These reactors use heavy
water(deuterium oxide) as moderator and primary coolant as well as the neutron reflector
and light water as secondary coolant. the Canadians have exported such reactors known
as CANDU reactors. In this type of reactor the natural uranium is used as fuel. These
reactors are more economical to those countries which do not produce enriched uranium,
as the enrichment of uranium is very costly.
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ME8792 Power Plant Engineering

10. What do you understand by moderation? Why it is essential? (A/M 15)

To slow down neutrons from high velocities and hence high energy level which
they have on being released from fission process so that probability of neutron to hit the
fuel rods increases.
Main moderator used:
 Water H2O
 Heavy water D2O
 Graphite
 Beryllium

UNIT IV - POWER FROM RENEWABLE ENERGY

1. Enumerate the factors affecting the suitability of the site for the tidal power plant.
(A/M 15)
i) The location of the plant must be near the ocean
ii) Site selection for the plant should be in such a way that tidal range of ocean is
large iii) The sluice gates of dam should allow water to or from basins
iv) There should also be a nearby demand for electricity, otherwise the energy which
is produced has to be stored in some way or transported to where it is needed which
increases the cost.

2. What is fuel cell? State the advantages. (A/M 17, 18)

It can be defined as an electrochemical device in which the chemical energy of a
fuel is directly converted in to electrical energy.
Advantages
(i) Water is the only discharge (pure H2)
(ii) High efficiency
(iii) Low weight and volume
(iv) Portable
(v) No hazardous emissions

3. Name 2 types of Geothermal Energy Deposits. (N/D 17)

i) Hydrothermal convective systems
ii) Geo pressure resources
iii) Petro thermal or Hot dry rocks,
iv) Magma resources and
v) Volcanoes.

4. Define the functions of surge tank in hydro plants. (M/J 16)

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 Department of Mechanical Engineering,
ME8792 Power Plant Engineering

The surge tank is used to provide better regulation of water pressure in the
system. The surge tank controls the water when the load on the turbine decreases and
supplies water when the load on the turbine increases. Thus, surge tank controls the
pressure variations resulting from the rapid changes in water flow in penstock and hence
prevents water hammer.

5. What is biogas? Give the advantages. (N/D 16)

Biogas can be produced by anaerobic digestion of organic matter. Potential raw
materials available on a large scale are cow dung, municipal waste and plants specially
grown for this purpose like water hyancith, algae and certain types of grasses. Biogas
typically refers to a mixture of different gases produced by the breakdown of organic
matter in the absence of oxygen.

Advantages:
 It’s a renewable energy source
 eco-friendly
 Reliable

6. Mention the various advantage of wind power. (N/D 15, 18)

1. Inexhaustible fuel source
2. No pollution
3. Excellent supplement to other renewable source
4. Its free

7. Define Tidal Range (N/D 17)

The tidal range is the vertical difference between the high tide and the succeeding
low tide.

8. What is spillway? (A/M 17)

A spillway is a structure used to provide the controlled release of flows from a
dam or levee into a downstream area, typically the riverbed of the dammed river itself. In
the UK they may be known as overflow channels. Spillways ensure that the water does
not overflow and damage or destroy the dam.

9. What are the limitations of tidal power plant? (N/D 15)

i) The tidal ranges are highly variable & therefore, turbines have to work on a wide
range of head variation.
ii) Construction in sea is found difficult.
iii) More corrosion will occur due to corrosive sea water.

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ME8792 Power Plant Engineering

iv)The power transmission cost is high because the tidal power plants are located away
from load centres.
10. Why is a tall tower essential for mounting a horizontal axis wind turbine? (M/J 16)
The wind speed increases with height. So, taller towers enable turbines to capture
more energy and generate more electricity. Generally output power of the wind system
increase

UNIT V - ENERGY, ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES OF POWER

PLANT

1. What is fixed and operating cost? What are fixed costs in power plants? What
includes fixed cost? (A/M 17, M/J 14,16, N/D 14)
Fixed costs are the cost required for the installation of complete power plant.
Fixed cost includes the following cost: 1. Cost of land 2. Cost of building 3. Cost of
equipment 4. Cost of installation, 5. Interest 6. Depreciation cost 7. Insurance 8.
Management cost.
Operating cost includes the following cost. 1. Cost of fuel, 2. Cost of operating
labour 3. Cost of maintenance, labours and materials. 4. Cost of supplier like Water for
feeding boilers, for condenser and for general use.

2. List down the nuclear waste disposal methods. (A/M 17)

(a) Utilizing underground facility
(b) Injecting into deep aquifers
(c) Deep bore holes
(d) Rock melting

3. What do you understand by load duration curves? (M/J 14)

Load duration curves are Re arrangement of all load elements of load curve in the
order of decreasing magnitude.

4. Define plant use factor. (N/D 16)

It is the ratio of energy produced in a given time to the maximum possible energy
that could have been produced during the same period of operation.

5. Define demand factor. (N/D 14)

Demand factor is defined as the ratio of maximum demand to connected load.
Connected load is the sum of ratings in kW of equipment installed in the consumer's
premises. Maximum demand is the maximum load, which a consumer uses at any time.

6. Define load curve. (or) What is the significance of load curve? (A/M 13, N/D 15, 18)

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ME8792 Power Plant Engineering

Load curve is a graphical representation between load in kW and time in hours. It.
shows variation of load at the power station. The area under the load curve -represents the
energy generated in a particular period. It shows the value of a specific load for each unit
of the period covered. The unit of time considered may be hour, days, weeks, months or
years.

7. What is main objective of tariff? (N/D 16)

Rates are the different methods of charging the consumers for the consumption of
electricity. It is desirable to charge the consumer according to his maximum demand
(kW) and the energy consumed (kWh). The tariff chosen should recover the fixed cost,
operating cost and profit etc. incurred in generating the electrical energy.

8. What is the equipment used to control the particulates? (N/D 15)

(i) Scrubbers
(ii) Cyclone separator
(iii) Electro static precipitator
(iv) Fabric filters

9. Define ‘Green House Effect”. (N/D 17)

It is the process by which radiation from a planet’s atmosphere warms the planet’s
surface to a temperature above what it would be without its atmosphere.

10. How ‘smog’ is defined? (N/D 17)

Smog caused by the action of solar ultraviolet radiation on atmosphere polluted
with hydrocarbon and oxides of nitrogen.

PART B & C

UNIT I COAL BASED THERMAL POWER PLANTS

1. Explain the layout of steam power plant.(Nov-15,16)

2. List out the steps to be followed in coal handling systems and ash handling systems,
Explain it. .(May-17,18, Nov-15,18)
3. Explain the condenser of thermal power plant. (May-13,16, Nov-14)
4. Explain the draught system in coal power plant. (May-13, Nov-14,15)
5. What is meant by Fluidized Bed Combustion (FBC)? Explain in detail about various FBC
systems? (May-16,18, Nov-14,17,18)
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ME8792 Power Plant Engineering

UNIT II – DIESEL, GAS TURBINE AND COMBINED CYCLE POWER PLANTS

1. With a neat sketch explain in detail about Diesel engine power plant.(May-15,16,19,
Nov-14,16,17,18)
2. Mention the various methods of lubrication system and explain it.(Nov-14)
3. Gas Turbine power plant. (May-15,16,17, Nov-14,17)
4. Explain in detail about combined cycle power plant. (May-16,18, Nov-18)
5. Explain in detail about Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle. (May-16,17,19)

UNIT III – NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

1. Write about nuclear fission.(May-17) & Write about chain reaction. (May-17, Nov-18)
2. With neat diagram, explain the various components of nuclear power plant. (May-15,19,
Nov-15,16,17)
3. Explain the BWR and PWR with neat layout. (May-15,16, Nov-14,17,18)
4. Explain CANDU reactor with neat sketch. And also write its advantages and
disadvantages. (Nov-15,16,17)
5. Discuss about safety measures adopted in nuclear power plant. (Nov-16,18)

UNIT IV– POWER FROM RENEWABLE ENERGY

1. Explain the hydroelectric power plant with neat layout. (May-17,18, Nov-14,15,16,18)
2. Explain the construction and working of wind mill. (May-15, Nov-16,18)
3. With neat diagram, explain the working of biogas plant. And also write its advantages
and disadvantages. (May-17,18, Nov-15,18)
4. Write short notes about solar photovoltaic cell. (May-16,17, Nov-15)
5. Write short notes about Fuel cell. (May-16,18,19, Nov-15,16)

UNIT V– ENERGY ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES OF

POWERPLANTS

1. What is meant by tariff? Explain the different types of tariff rate. (May-17,18 Nov-
15,17,18)
2. Write about capital cost and operating cost of power plants. (May-16,18 Nov-14,17)
3. Explain the types of load. (May-16,17,18)

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4. Explain the Site selection criteria for various power plants. (May-16,18,19 Nov-14,16)
5. Explain the control of emission from coal power plant. (May-17, Nov-15,16,17,18)

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